California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Thomas Aquinas College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Pomona in Pomona, CA with Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than Thomas Aquinas College based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is located in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting); Thomas Aquinas College is in Santa Paula, CA (Distant Rural setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1; Thomas Aquinas College 11:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Thomas Aquinas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Thomas Aquinas College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than Thomas Aquinas College ($11,940 vs. $24,820).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Aquinas College are 32.9% lower than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona ($11,200 vs. $16,682).
• Thomas Aquinas College is 288.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $22,420 more per year; $30,200.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.2% higher at Thomas Aquinas College than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $9,820 more per year; $30,200.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State Polytechnic University Pomona than at Thomas Aquinas College (74% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Aquinas College students is 57.2% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($18,606 vs. $11,833).

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Thomas Aquinas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Thomas Aquinas College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Thomas Aquinas College and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Thomas Aquinas College (1310) is 180 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming Thomas Aquinas College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 23 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250; Thomas Aquinas College 1220/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27; Thomas Aquinas College 28/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free; Thomas Aquinas College - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Thomas Aquinas College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• Thomas Aquinas College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. 67.7% at Thomas Aquinas College.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs. Thomas Aquinas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and Thomas Aquinas College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Thomas Aquinas College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Thomas Aquinas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,400 vs. $45,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Thomas Aquinas College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates ($175 vs. $196).
• More Thomas Aquinas College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Pomona students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.